An effective 3-fingered augmenting exoskeleton for the human hand.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Assistive Devices

Background:

• Thousands of Americans experience hand dexterity and strength loss annually due to trauma or disease.
• Existing hand assistive devices are often complex and prohibitively expensive, limiting accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement a cost-effective, electrically powered exoskeleton for the human hand.
• To enhance grasping strength and improve functional hand movement.

Main Methods:

• A 3D-printed thermoplastic exoskeleton was constructed for independent finger movement (index, middle, ring).
• A 3D-printed housing integrated linear actuators, an Arduino control system, and a power supply.
• A force-sensing resistor proportionally activated motors based on applied finger force.

Main Results:

• The exoskeleton was tested on four healthy human subjects.
• Activation of the motor control system demonstrably reduced the muscular effort required for sub-maximal grasping.
• The device showed potential for improving hand strength and function.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D-printed hand exoskeleton is a cost-effective solution for enhancing grasping strength.
• This assistive device can significantly reduce muscle effort, aiding in hand rehabilitation.
• Further research and development could lead to wider clinical application.